Sad News

Writers: Paula, Rebecca
Date Posted: 11th April 2006

Characters: Corowal, M'tias
Description: Corowal informs brownrider M'tais that his father, the formor Steward of Emerald Falls has died.
Location: Emerald Falls Hold
Date: month 11, day 7 of Turn 3

Corowal saw the brown dragon land from the window. He had expecting it, after he
sent a word to the weyr. He rushed outside, passing a drudge that came to tell
him about the arrival. He entered the courtyard same time as the rider
dismounted. The steward gestured him to come over.

M"tias couldn't imagine what the Steward of Emerald Falls would want with him.
Emerald Falls was not on the best of terms with Dolphin Cove. "You asked for me
Steward?" he asked politely.

"You're M'tais, right? I'm Corowal, the hold's steward. I have news for you,"
Corowal replied.

"Yes sir, M'tais, rider of brown Woenth." What kind of new could this man have
for him. M'tais wondered.

Corowal didn't say anything before he had led the young brownrider to his
office. He gestured him to sit down and seated himself. Crossing his fingers to
the desk, he finally told his news:" It's my sad duty to inform you that your
father, Artias, has died. It was quite sudden."

M'tais felt faint, he could hear Woenth rumble in to courtyard and pulled
himself together. "What happened." he asked quietly.

"He had some sort of stroke or heart attack. I'm sure the healer will be able to
tell you the exact cause if you want to know," Corowal replied.

"He's gone? Was it quick?" he knew it sounded morbid.

"Yes, very. I was told that he basically just turned red, then purple and
toppled over dead. There was nothing healers could do to help him," Corowal
said.

M'tais nodded, it was strange but what he'd wished for had finally happened and
he felt nothing.

"Now, there's few practical matter you have to deal with," Corowal started with
apologetic voice. "First, his body. What do you want us to do with it? Bury it
the usual way or did he left some specific instructions?" Some people did that,
they wanted certain burial place, or certain ceremony or certain song. Corowal
was observing the brownrider. He was so young, couldn't been more than handful
of turns older than his eldest son. M'tais also didn't seem overly saddened by
the news of his father's death.

"I'm not sure, I don't think there was anything he wanted, but then I haven't
spoken to him in a few turns, he didn't approve of my impressing."

"The usual then," Corowal shrugged. "The other matter is his personal property.
You're his heir. What do you want to do with it?"

"Anything of value, I'll take to my mother, I've everything I need at the Weyr.
The rest can go to the stores or anyone you think my need it."

Corowal nodded. "And your mother lives in weyr too? Do you want to take them
with you know or will I send them to you later?"

"I need to return, the weyrlings are drilling later. If you would send them I'd
appreciate it." Truth was he didn't want to go anywhere near his father's
quarters.

"I'll send them with the next tithes then," Corowal promised.

"Thank you sir." M'tais was in the habit of being dismissed so he waited to see
in there was anything else the steward needed.

"I think that covered everything. Unless you have something in your mind?"
Corowal said and asked with a friendly smile.

"Thank you sir." Woenth approached from behind and lowered a forearm for his
rider to mount.

"It was pleasure to meet you, brownrider. My duty to you and to your dragon."

The brown lept skyward, carrying his rider home. M'tais wondering just how he
was going to tell his mother.

Last updated on the April 12th 2006

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